Business in Brief: DC tour guides struggle, Sunday brunch at Malabar, P&P podcasts

A frustrating year for DC tour guides: Pointing to the political landscape and the physical one — a maze of street closures and walkway barriers on and near the National Mall — tour guides tell The Washington Post that business has “cratered” this year.

David Luria, the founder of Forest Hills-based Washington Photo Safari, is featured in the article.

“People just aren’t coming,” said Luria, a D.C. resident for 56 years, who estimates his bookings are down about 50 percent from last year. “They just don’t want to put up with it.”.

More options for the breakfast and brunch crowd: Malabar has been open for dinner only since the coastal Indian restaurant opened in January. That changes this Sunday with the introduction of brunch.

“You’ll be welcomed with complimentary Masala Popcorn as you explore our weekly rotating buffet featuring delicious coastal Indian brunch dishes by James Beard Award-winning Chef Vikram Sunderam,” the restaurant says.

Malabar (4465 Connecticut Avenue) will open at 11:30 a.m. and reservations are encouraged; customers at the first two Sunday brunches will get a 50% discount.

Other neighborhood places to gather for weekend brunch and earlier breakfast bites include ZaoAn Café (open at 9 a.m. on weekends); Bread Furst, Dog Haus, Italian Bar and The Den (open at 8 a.m.); and Call Your Mother (a true early riser at 6:30 a.m.). For those who prefer to sleep in or be fashionably late, there’s also Comet Ping Pong, Rosemary Bistro Café and Sfoglina Pasta House, which serve brunch at starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

An inflation-fighting meal: Leez Deli (4483 Connecticut) gets a shoutout in from The 51st for its customizable “Loaded Saucy Platter,” a filling takeout option that’s priced at under $15 if you skip some of the suggested add-ons.

P&P, the podcast: Somehow we’ve gone several months without mentioning that Politics and Prose (5015 Connecticut) has a podcast in addition to its many author talks. “So Many Books” launched early this year and can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube Podcasts. Authors make an appearance here too, as do staffers who tell us about their recommendations and current reads. The latest episode, just in time for spooky season, features horror writer Keith Rosson.